Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) is forming a special team to build the Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed train. Three government elements, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), and PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), are reportedly involved in the team.
“Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed train, we agreed to form a team immediately,” Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan stated on his Instagram account. The agreement between the Indonesian and Chinese governments is one of the results of the 4th High-Level Dialogue and Cooperation Mechanism (HDCM) meeting between Indonesia and China.
According to the Spokesperson for the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Jodi Mahardi, the extension of the high-speed train line will begin soon, as Katadata reported. However, the development project will be continued by the next government. “Pak Luhut has paved the way for the next government to continue extending this high-speed train line. KAI will definitely be involved,” Jodi said in his office, as quoted by Katadata (04/24).
Reducing aviation sector emissions
Jodi further underscored the gravity of building the high-speed railway to cut travel time, lower the burden on road transportation, and reduce aviation sector emissions. This project is expected to boost the interconnectivity of cities in the country.
The government had previously begun preliminary discussions on extending the high-speed train route. Jodi added, “We hope that the next government can continue the Jokowi government’s programs, especially those that have benefited, including this high-speed train.”
The Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed train is an extension of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train route. This project is estimated to reduce the travel time from Jakarta to Surabaya, around 900 km, to only 3.5 hours by land.
